The objective of the LASIK eye surgery is to correct the refractive errors and distance vision. So, it can reduce or remove the need for the glasses, when the glasses are prescribed because of the refractive vision and distance vision problems. On the other hand, eye glasses may also be needed towards correction of other eye vision related problems and in such cases LASIK surgery cannot influence the problems associated with the same.
Need for Reading Glasses After LASIK
The chances are 50 and 50. There may be a need for the reading glasses after LASIK surgery, in the following circumstances or conditions.
- LASIK laser eye surgery has not been successful and the outcomes are not up to the expected levels.
- You might have undergone the wrong laser eye procedure, unmatched to the prescription, because of the wrongly recommended procedure after pre-LASIK assessment.
- Inappropriate post operation care or medication not followed after the LASIK surgery.
- Condition of Presbyopia, which attacks almost every human being after 40s and eyesight gets worsen.
Here the discussion is about the reading glasses, which need to wear only during the activity of reading and the rest of all kinds of activities can be performed normally, without need for glasses.
What is Presbyopia?
As a human grows older, the ciliary muscles of the eye become loose and its property of elasticity gets deteriorated. Eventually, the natural ability of focus gets deteriorated and the focus gets limited to the objects closer only. This is the Presbyopia condition. Almost every human gets attacked by Presbyopia, unless special care is taken for eyes.
So, no matter you have undergone LASIK eye surgery or not, it is quite possible that you need reading glasses after your 40s or at least 50s. Basic LASIK works on correction of refractive errors, rather than on focusing capability of the eyes and hence it has no control over the development of Presbyopia condition. However, the technology has brought a viable solution, again with the same laser eye surgery procedure, LASIK.
Modern LASIK for Presbyopia
A great news for older people, after they get attacked by Presbyopia is that they can get this problem treated with the modern LASIK treatment. The new technique developed in this context is called monovision.
How Modern LASIK Works?
The logic is simple, but has potential benefits and render solution to the Presbyopia condition. In the monovision procedure, the surgeon corrects the refractive errors completely in one eye and leaves the other eye intentionally to stay as nearsighted. Eventually, the eye, which is fully corrected can view the objects in distant places clearly and the other eye, which is nearsighted can provide clear vision for the objects nearby. So, the need for the reading glasses can be eliminated completely.
Other Presbyopia Procedures
There are also some other procedures developed to treat the Presbyopia condition. One of such surgeries is corneal inlay surgery, performed as Presbyopia correction surgery. And one more surgery is multifocal LASIK surgery.
Hence, after basic LASIK surgery, there may or may not be a need for the reading glasses. In case Presbyopia happens to attack and cannot read without reading glasses, this condition can still be corrected with the modern LASIK procedures.